Apple has filed a lawsuit accusing OpenAI and two of its former engineers of stealing proprietary hardware designs. The complaint also names Jony Ive’s hardware startup IO Products, which OpenAI acquired in 2025, as part of the alleged wrongdoing.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple alleges OpenAI stole its hardware trade secrets
  • Two former Apple engineers are central to the case
  • Jony Ive's IO Products is also named in the lawsuit

Background of the Lawsuit

Apple’s complaint claims that Tang Tan, OpenAI’s chief hardware officer, and Chang Liu, who joined OpenAI from Apple in January, illicitly accessed and transferred confidential hardware blueprints. According to Apple, this conduct forms a “pattern of theft” by former Apple staff now employed at OpenAI, aimed at accelerating the startup’s AI‑driven hardware roadmap.

Inclusion of IO Products

The suit does not stop at OpenAI. It also implicates IO Products, the hardware venture founded by former Apple chief design officer Jony Ive, which OpenAI purchased in 2025. Apple alleges that the acquisition facilitated the leakage of sensitive design information, further compromising its competitive edge.

Legal and Business Implications

Should the case proceed to trial, it could set a precedent for how trade‑secret protection is enforced in the fast‑moving AI and hardware sectors. A ruling in Apple’s favor may compel AI firms to adopt stricter internal controls and could trigger a wave of litigation across the industry. Moreover, the dispute may tarnish OpenAI’s reputation as it seeks to position itself as a responsible leader in artificial intelligence.

Future Outlook

Legal battles of this nature often reshape collaboration norms among tech giants. Analysts warn that the outcome could influence not only the Apple‑OpenAI relationship but also broader partnership frameworks in the hardware‑AI ecosystem. The industry will be watching closely for any court‑ordered injunctions or damages that could affect future joint‑development projects.

Apple’s spokesperson, speaking to 9to5Mac, emphasized that the company is constantly developing “breakthrough technologies” and will pursue all legal avenues to protect its intellectual property. As the case unfolds, stakeholders from investors to policymakers are likely to scrutinize the balance between innovation and security.